Living in Waukesha, Wisconsin
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Waukesha · Census data 2020–2024
Waukesha has 71,233 residents with a median age of 36.7. The median household income is $83,837 (8% higher than the Wisconsin median), the median home value is $315,500, the median rent is $1,219/month.
Waukesha at a glance
- Population
- 71,233
- Median age
- 36.7State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $83,837State: $77,485
- Median home value
- $315,500State: $266,500
- Median rent
- $1,219/moState: $1,087
- Homeowners
- 58.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41.7%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Waukesha a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 8% higher than the Wisconsin median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 2.7%; a poverty rate of 9.8%.
Cons: Home values 18% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Waukesha
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Waukesha the median home value is $315,500, 5% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,219 per month, which is 29.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,889 a month in housing costs.
Waukesha median household income
The median household income in Waukesha is $83,837 and the income per person is $44,943. 9.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Wisconsin: 10.6%).
Housing in Waukesha: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 31,481
- Owner-occupied
- 58.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 41.2%
- Vacant
- 2.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1979
- Average household size
- 2.27
Waukesha demographics
- Population
- 71,233
- Median age
- 36.7
- Under 18
- 19.2%
- 65 and older
- 15.6%
- Households
- 30,567
- Foreign-born
- 7.2%
- Veterans
- 4.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Waukesha ›
Education in Waukesha
41.7% of adults 25 and older in Waukesha have a bachelor's degree or higher (Wisconsin: 33.4%), and 12.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Waukesha
- Unemployment rate
- 2.7%State: 3.2%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 22 min
- Work from home
- 12.9%
- Drive alone
- 77.1%
- Public transit
- 0.5%
- Walk to work
- 2.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.3%
Waukesha vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | 71,233 | $83,837 | $315,500 | $1,219 |
| Waukesha | 8,514 | $130,978 | $415,500 | $1,292 |
| Pewaukee | 16,211 | $108,350 | $447,100 | $1,622 |
| Pewaukee | 8,196 | $62,139 | $281,800 | $1,260 |
| Wales | 2,902 | $109,024 | $399,400 | $1,322 |
| New Berlin | 40,270 | $101,091 | $365,700 | $1,426 |
| Brookfield | 41,273 | $129,548 | $443,900 | $1,886 |
| Hartland | 9,972 | $87,754 | $393,100 | $1,230 |
| Delafield | 7,202 | $94,806 | $555,800 | $1,457 |
More for people moving to Waukesha
Waukesha ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Waukesha: FAQ
What is the median household income in Waukesha, WI?
The median household income in Waukesha is $83,837, 8% higher than the Wisconsin median of $77,485 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Waukesha?
The median home value in Waukesha is $315,500, compared with $266,500 in Wisconsin.
How much is rent in Waukesha?
The median gross rent in Waukesha is $1,219 per month, about 29.3% of household income.
Is Waukesha, WI a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 8% higher than the Wisconsin median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 2.7%; a poverty rate of 9.8%. Minuses: home values 18% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Waukesha?
The median age in Waukesha is 36.7 years (Wisconsin: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Waukesha?
The average commute to work in Waukesha is 21 minutes; 12.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Waukesha?
The unemployment rate in Waukesha is 2.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Waukesha?
41.7% of adults in Waukesha have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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